Babcock Australasia (Babcock) has partnered with the Grange Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) to support the next generation of lifesavers through the donation of three new surf lifesaving boards this summer.
From keeping our borders safe in the Torres Strait to delivering vital helicopter medical services to regions across Australia, lifesaving work – and supporting our communities – is in Babcock’s DNA.
For the first time, Babcock has sponsored three new nipper boards at the Grange SLSC, located in Adelaide, South Australia. The donated boards have allowed the Grange juniors, children aged five to 13 also known as “nippers”, to learn vital water safety and surf lifesaving skills on modern equipment, while easing the financial pressure on families and the club.
Grange SLSC President Ralph Bock said: “Grange SLSC sincerely thanks Babcock for their generous sponsorship. Having a community and service-focused partner is very important to us.
“This new equipment is going to allow us to continue to encourage and engage our nippers in regular physical activity, building positive early experiences with being active while simultaneously starting their journey in developing lifelong surf skills.”
Grange SLSC Junior Club Captains Tate and Grace, both nippers, were thankful for the donation.
“We are super grateful that Babcock bought and sponsored our new boards because it gives our nippers the opportunity to use and race on the best brand-new boards,” said Tate.
“This donation will allow us to further develop our lifesaving skills, as well as ensure we have enough boards for all our Grange nippers,” said Grace.
The cause is particularly meaningful to Babcock Graduate Mechanical Engineer Jack Wells, an active club member who has been involved in surf lifesaving since aged seven.
“Educating people about beach and surf safety is something I am passionate about. Surf lifesaving is a great way to give back whilst also keeping fit, active and social and I’m proud Babcock has decided to support the Grange Surf Life Saving Club this summer – it really makes a difference to our local families,” said Jack.
Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland said: “Babcock is committed to supporting the communities where our people live and work, and now we’re proud to support the next generation of lifesavers at Grange Surf Lifesaving Club.”
In addition to supporting the Grange SLSC this summer, Babcock recently signed an MOU with Surf Life Saving NSW to pursue long-range drone technology and services supporting the transformation of the state’s surf lifesaving operations into a broader national asset for disaster prevention, response, and recovery.